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The front of the new Chace Hall facing Shortlidge Road at Penn State's University Park campus.

Image: Bill Zimmerman

South Halls readying for students' arrival

New Chace Hall, renovated Haller and Lyons halls await students

August 14, 2013

South Halls readying for students' arrival

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- With Welcome Week rapidly approaching, work on three Penn State residence buildings in South Halls is nearing completion. Chace, Haller and Lyons Halls are set to open and house students this fall.

Construction on the new Chace Hall began in May 2012, with renovations on Haller and Lyons following that summer. The work marked the largest Penn State Housing project since Eastview Terrace was built in 2004. The project was heavily influenced by student feedback from design to feel to furniture.

Conal Carr, director of housing operations at Penn State, showed a room Aug. 14 in the renovated Haller Hall to Karen Wing, executive communications writer and editor in the Office of the Vice President for Administration, and others at University Park.

Conal Carr, director of housing operations at Penn State, showed a Learning Station Aug. 14 on the second floor of the new Chace Hall at University Park. Learning Stations are study areas that allow for as many as four students with individual laptops to collaborate on a project through a shared monitor.

Image: Bill Zimmerman

Chace Hall adds 45,000 square feet and will be home to 213 students in 108 regular, double rooms. All rooms offer wired and wireless Internet connections as well as air conditioning. Chace is the first residence hall to boast a Learning Station where four students with individual laptops can collaborate on a project through a shared monitor. Students will have access to private bathrooms on each floor with a toilet, sink and shower in each, and all room furniture is modular so students can arrange their rooms to suit their preferences. A kitchen is also available for student use on the first floor.

Renovations to Haller and Lyons halls offer similar amenities to the new Chace Hall. Sororities housed in both halls will have their own suites complete with a living room and kitchen on their floor. They will also have a large shared meeting space on the main floor.